We originally tried to get a Clipper boat back into town after learning that the DLR system was suspended for maintenance work.

Despite being sold the ticket and informed that the next boat would be there in '10 minutes,' the queue stretched for some distance, and we learned that we'd be looking at a 45 minute wait minimum.

"Bugger that!" we thought, so we hotfooted it through the tunnel under the Thames and got a bus from Island Gardens into Canary Wharf.



The tunnel was designed by civil engineer Sir Alexander Binnie for the London County Council, with John Cochrane & Co being contractors.

It was built to allow workers living on the south side of the Thames to reach their workplaces in the London docks and shipyards on the Isle of Dogs opposite, and replaced an earlier expensive - and sometimes unreliable - ferry service.



The northern end of the tunnel was damaged by World War II bombs, necessitating repairs that included the addition of a thick steel and concrete inner lining. You can see that this lining substantially reduces the diameter for several metres.



There was some kind of kerrr-azy arty event going on in Canada Square.



The stunning Canary Wharf tube station, which was was opened in September 1999 as part of the Jubilee Line Extension. 

Labels: canary wharf, greenwich, tunel

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We enjoyed a lovely picnic* in Greenwich Royal Park, which covers 183 acres of land originally laid out in the 17th century.  (*before the braying yuppies turned up)

Greenwich Park was once a hunting park and now forms one of the largest single green spaces in south east London. Enclosed as far back as 1433, it's now part of the protected Greenwich World Heritage Site.



Looking down at the The Queen's House, Greenwich, which was built in 1614-1617 by architect Inigo Jones

Subsequently altered by Jones around 1635 for Henrietta Maria, the House is now regarded as one of the most important buildings in architectural history, being Britain's first consciously classical building.

The Queen's House is now both a grade I listed building and a Scheduled ancient monument.



Lurking inside this 45-ton bronze-clad truncated cone is the new Peter Harrison Planetarium, a 120-seat digital laser planetarium, opened in May, 2007.



Old and new. Canary Wharf with the Royal Naval College in the foreground.

More photos here.

Labels: greenwich, photos, walk

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Continuing our walk from the O2 dome around the Greenwich Peninsula, we walked around the Royal Naval College, before popping into the excellent Greenwich Market for some fresh bread, cheese and olives:



Formerly occupied by the pre-Tudor 'Palace at Greenwich' of 1428, the current buildings were planned by Sir Christopher Wren with various big name architects like Hawksmoor, Vanbrugh and James 'Athenian' Stuart completing the job during the first half of the eighteenth century .




Old fella checking out the sights.



 In the food market.



 The temporary 60m high Greenwich Wheel in front of the Pepy's Building Visitor Centre stands taller than Nelson's Column and offers panoramic views across London.



Greenwich Church St.

Labels: greenwich, market, photos

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